Mercedes-Benz working on electric vehicle platform

Mercedes-Benz is reportedly working on a new platform reserved exclusively for electric vehicles.Handout

Mercedes-Benz has begun developing a new modular platform reserved exclusively for electric vehicles.

According to a report from AutoBild (hat tip to AutoGuide), Mercedes is focused on keeping weight down in a bid to compensate for the otherwise additional weight brought onboard by the electric powertrain’s components, such as the batteries.

The platform — ‘Ecoluxe’, as it’s tentatively named — will also use four-wheel steering and the battery will be located under the passenger compartment.

Mercedes’ first model underpinned by this new platform is said to launch by 2019 at the earliest. It will have the equivalent of 544 horsepower in base form and 604 hp in S trim, and is expected to boast a 449-kilometre range.